May Goals

 Here comes summer!  I know, we are only knocking on the door of May but I also know that May will zoom right by and we will then be in full summer mode.  First of all, if you would like to check out what I did (and did not) accomplish in April just click HERE. I think I was busier in April then I have been in a long time.  So much running around and stacking events on top of each of other to get everything done.  I'm back to Physical Therapy on my ankle twice a week - it's amazing how much of a time crunch those two hours put on my days!  (But it seems to helping again so that is a good thing!).  

So now, on to my May plan.  A part of my May plan is to plan out my summer.  I'm a little (just a little HA) more motivate to get some things accomplished around the homestead.  I'm also planning to "hire" Josh for a few bigger projects. (He is aware of this already and Nate is working at camp a good portion of the summer so he will be gone alot!).  As far as May, I have a short list of easy projects for Darryl to get done for me and for all three of my guys to help me with too. (Now just to get them on board with my projects HA!) I desperately want to scrapbook this summer and (not so desperately) get some work done in the basement. I am getting ahead of myself, though, as first I can focus on May!  

1.  Take down blinds in the dining room, clean them, shorten them, and rehang them. 

2. Basement - (Still hanging on to my same goals LOL).  1) The Laundry Room - deep clean, organize, clean out.  Make it pretty. 2) Clean the steps 3) Clean off (now comes the "hard decluttering") what I call "the old pantry shelves"  4) Find and organize painting supplies for Josh's #1 summer project

3. My guys project list.  Now, I will add a disclaimer that this is MY list that I'm hoping to get them to do.  Right now, they don't even know this list exsists :-)  1) Fix the one board in Nate's bed (Darryl and Nate) 2) Hang things in Josh's Room (Darryl and Josh) 3) Hang my living room curtain (Darryl and Nate)  4) Do yard clean up - all of us 5) Lay new mulch  - all of us 6) Clean out the garage - hopefully all of us! 7) Fix the outside spigot and get hoses hooked up (Darryl) 8) put new hands on my clock (Darryl) 9.) Write this list out for my guys to see HA! 

4. Scrapbooking - my guys are going to an overnight retreat at the end of the month - so I'm planning my scrapbook retreat for that weekend too - staying home, scrapbooking and watching my favorite movies! 

5. Solid Rock - I need to read through, update, and send the updates of our Policies and Procedures and other required documents to the team.  I also want to add these documents to my flash drive. 

6. Reserve our camping trip - I'm looking at September. 

7. Practice a and play a piano song for offertory. 

8. Plan our 25th anniversary get away. I have lots of ideas - I just need to narrow it down, figure out a budget and put it into action.

9.   The next room to deep clean is . . .. .the kitchen!  I really debated this but decided I'd like to get it done before the heat of the summer since the kitchen tends to stay warmer than the rest of the house even with the AC running.  Plus a few cupboards have kind of gotten really crazy out of control.  So, lets of cleaning, scrubbing, and organizing.  

10.  Write my Summer To Do List.  This will be my list of everything I want done by the time we get to September 1st  :-) 

11. Do all of my monthly goals (that I hardly ever get done HA!) - Memorize a verse, Read a Non-Fiction Book, do my daily devotions. 

12. Go out to dinner with my friend Julie.  She lost both of her parents in April so we weren't able to get together.  I'm hoping we can meet for dinner in May. 

13. Plan my June calendar with camp, volunteering, family visiting, and just general life things. 

14. Do all the May things well - Mother's Day, My Mom's Birthday, Memorial Day (also my mom's birthday HA!). 

15. Do my weekly home blessing - I got a new vacuum recently and it makes vacuuming so much better!  Amazing what a well working vacuum does to the desire to clean LOL  

16. Get Josh registered to take the SAT

17. Sort through my recipes and, as part of my 101-1001 days, I need to find what new recipes I've tried and we liked.  

April Goals

 First up, if you would like to see what progress I made on my March goals you can click HERE.  I have updated that post to reflect what is done.  Naturally, I didn't get as much done as I would have liked but I am happy with what I did accomplish.  

Now, on to April's goals! I don't have any deep thoughts about my goals.  I'm still working on being more mindful in both my monthly planning and my daily planning in order to be a little more productive. I think part of that means being super specific in what I want to get done.  For example, instead of saying I want to spend 15 minutes a day in the basement I want to say that I will totally clean and organize the laundry room or maybe it is I will clean off and organize 1 shelving unit.  That way, when that project is done, I'm done.  Not sure if that really makes sense - but it does in my brain! 

1. Update the shower curtain in the bathroom (it is time for spring!) ✔️

2. The dining room - doing co-op "season" the dining room becomes a dumping ground for all of my stuff HA!  My goals are multi-level for the dining room: A) Put away every single thing into its correct home B) Clean and organize my scrapbooking shelves C) Clean the shelf by the piano D) Clean off the Marble table . .. and like, actually clean it off HA!  Done!  Finally :-)  

3. Fix the board on Nate's bed

4. Hang things in Josh's room.

5. Stage 2 of the basement - The only goal this month is to clean and organize the things in the laundry room.  That includes the cedar chest and cleaning the steps.  We had to have a new water heater put in so we had shift a few things to make a "clear path" so that was our focus.  

6. Scrapbooking - same as last month - 3 months in 2011 and then if I have time work on 2025 to reach 3 pages this month

7. I purchased the flash drive last month - this month I'd like to get all of my Solid Rock Documents organized and cleaned out; then upload them on the flashdrive. 

8. PIck and reserve one camping weekend for the summer. 

9. Practice a piano song for the month.

10. Write the Secretary job description for Solid Rock 

11. Figure out my 2nd class I plan to teach in the fall - I have two ideas and two books to look at - hoping to nail this down soon!✔️

12. Learn my memory verse for the month

13. Read one non-fiction book for the month

14. Make definite plans for our 25th year getaway and put it into motion.

15. Turn off the cable box

16. Figure out how to shorten the blinds - then clean them and rehang them

17. Do my daily bible study. 

18. Plan May events by April 30

19. Have a date with Darryl✔️

20. Go out to dinner with my friend, Julie

21. Pick out flower seeds to plant

22. Celebrate Easter! (Eggs, baskets, church, dinner - all the things)✔️

23. Celebrate My Birthday!!!!! Done! 

24. Do yard clean up - burn pile, clean out the flower beds, plant flower seeds, clean up the patio area, etc. 

February Goal Recap

 I decided to do my recap a little differently this month.  I updated my progress on my original post and will supply a link here.  That way, if you really want to keep tabs, you can, and if not, well, just move along.  

February - where did it go?  I felt like I took a breath in on February 1st and when I breathed out, we were here, at the end of the month.  It did not go as planned, I did not get things on my list done but that's ok.  

What did happen in February?  

• Two of my three brothers visited in February.  This meant lots of family dinners and games at my moms, a couple of trips to the coffee shop, and a couple of times eating out while picking up/dropping off my brother Ken at the airport.  
• A family funeral for my Aunt Betty.  It was great seeing friends and family and nice surprising my mom with a visit from my brother, Kel.  
• I started volunteering at our local hospital this month.  It is going well but has been a transition to not be home for a couple of days each week.  I'm enjoying meeting people (I volunteer in the Gift Shop) and hearing their stories when they share. 
• We celebrated Valentine's Day and Darryl's birthday - both of which were fun and enjoyable.  
• Our co-op has kept me extra busy this month. 

That left not a lot of time to work on my projects.  Evenings were full and days were busy.  

So, here's the link if you want to actually check it out.

March is just around the corner and I'm hoping to get a few more of my "projects" accomplished as I settle into a new schedule.  (But March is also the busiest month for our co-op so we shall see! 

February Goals

 

February is a new month to focus on new goals despite not getting nearly as far as I thought I would in January.  It gives me a chance to revisit what I thought would work  . .. . and then figure out what didn't work and make it better. You may notice (if you actually read my goals - which I understand why you wouldn't - they aren't yours!) that there are quite a few on this list from January because they did not get completed.  

Speaking of mindfulness - I am continuing with the goal of enjoying my teenagers to the fullest (which I feel I did in January - they are really great guys).  I also picked up a tear-away calendar for the year that sits in my kitchen window.  It has some reminders and quotes to think on each day.  Another mindful goal is to continue with the goal to unplug a little more.  I've been trying to just set my phone down and do other things intentionally.  I guess it is more the idea of not just mindlessly doing nothing but to actually get some things done (and THEN scroll mindlessly LOL)  I also picked up a devotional book - I'm just starting it out so maybe I'll share about it a little more once I've completed a few weeks of the daily readings.  I think it will be encouraging based on what I've seen so far - short reads but with great daily reminders and a focus on Jesus. 

Here are my goals for February:

1. Stage 2 of the basement - Spend 20-30 minutes 2-3 days a week sorting, emptying, organizing and deep cleaning.  

2. Scrapbooking A) Scrapbook 28 pages (at least) in February. B) Make up for pages in January that I did not complete.  C) Reserve February 6-8 for my scrapbooking weekend.  D) Finally I'd like to actually accomplish the following - Finish 3 months in 2011, Finish 3 months in 2025 and finish one month of memorabilia.  Oh, and order January 2026 photos. 

3. Get my oven looked at (and hopefully it can be repaired)

4. Monthly Habit - Keep the kitchen counters cleared.  The kitchen is also our main entrance so things get sit on the counter all the time (we are all guilty!).  My goal this month is to take time each day and put everything away that doesn't belong and wipe the counters down.  

5. Deep Cleaning Goals - I was super over-zealous with plans in January and kind of all over the place.  I'm keeping it a little more focused on one area - I did not finish the master in January like planned (lots of sickness derailed lots of plans!) so I will continue in the master until it is completely done.  IF that happens before the end of February I plan to move on to the bathroom. 

6. Declutter challenge - I found this video online and the lady gets rid of three things a day.  She's pretty random - like just opening a drawer and finding three things to donate or toss.  I like to be a little more streamlined but am returning to my "roots" which is the concept of decluttering/cleaning one small space a day.  A drawer, one shelf in a cupboard, a bin on a table top - just one.  It takes anywhere from 5-15 minutes (or even less!)  But, it doesn't take long until every space has been touched.  

7. Josh's room - the never ending room updates LOL  The goal is to still get everything up on his walls.  Maybe when Nate is at winter retreat the first weekend in February this will get done. 

8. Host Darryl's birthday :-)  ✔️

9. Complete projects in Nate's room

10. Purchase a flash drive and move Solid Rock Documents to the drive

11. Memorize my verses toward my 101-1001 goals. 

12. Practice my piano songs (that are now all nice in my binder) 

13. Chose our next 25th Anniversary Adventure for March and plan it. ✔️

14. Read!  Towards my goal of 130 books! ✔️

15. Read non-fiction books toward my 101-1001 plan. 

16. Find ways to unplug again this month.  ✔️

17.  My white paint project - Find my painting supplies and then purchase what I need. 

18. Figure out how to shorten the blinds. 

19. Write my resume. 

20. Write out my scripture verses each day. And do daily devotions/Bible Reading

21. Plan March Events before March 1st - St. Patrick's Day and Nate's birthday Party (rescheduled from January), Schedule Dash's vet visit, Reschedule my foot doctor appointment (I had to cancel it due to the weather) ✔️

22. Plan a date with Darryl. ✔️

23. Pick out some flower seeds to order and plant (easy things like sunflowers!) 

24. Clean and decorate the Laundry Room. 

25. Turn off cable this month (and then find ways to watch the few things we want to watch) 

26. Go out to dinner with my friend, Julie.  We talk about it a lot - but we never seem to put it on the calendar!  

27. Pick out a song to maybe sing for Easter (I'm so committed - notice the "Maybe" HA!) 

28. Prepare as much of my "Joyful" video for Presentation night as I can be the end of February.  (Nate has to help me with this project!) 

January Goal Recap

Sometimes I consider not doing these recaps because, really, it's not that big of a deal.  But, when I look back at past years it is kind of nice to see what I've done.  I have considered not doing a separate post but just linking back to the original post and may do that eventually but for now, here's a look back at what did (and did not) get done.  

I've mentioned in other posts that we dealt with sickness and weather in January which derailed a lot of plans including some of my goal planning and that's ok.  I'll try to give some insight as I go through the list.   

1. Stage 2 of the basement - A) Count all of the bins and then write down what my goal # is by the end of Stage 2. I have a total of about 60 bins/boxes so I'd like to cut it down to 45  B) Spend 20-30 minutes 2-3 days a week sorting, emptying, organizing, and deep cleaning.  It was cold.  Trying to spend excess time in the basement was not really that enticing!  What I did do was put all of the Christmas bins back where they belong because, guess what, there was space for every single one! 

2. Scrapbooking - A) Scrapbook 31 pages (at least) in January (one a day). I even have a cute little chart to fill out for each month of the year. B) Reserve January 9-11 as my "scrapbooking weekend" with the goal to scrapbook as many hours as I can.  C) Actual accomplish goals are -- Finish 3 months in 2011, Finish 3 months in 2025 and finish one month of memorabilia I am kind of disappointed in myself that I didn't get any scrapbooking completed.  My "Scrapbooking weekend" was filled with taking care of Darryl and Nate who both had the stomach flu.  Plus I ended up just feeling "off" (Thankfully I never got the flu like the guys did but I think I had the bug just enough to make me want to do nothing).  

3. Get my oven looked at (and hopefully it can be repaired!) This took a back seat to 1) Needing to get our well bladder looked at after a power outage (it was making terrible noises but in the end was fine) and 2) A part on my washer went bad and needed replaced.  I decided I'd rather have a working washer and continue to use crock pots HA!  

4. Monthly Habits - I find a photo recently that I'll post below:  

Yes, boring habits but good habits to build on.  Each month the focus is on one of them - starting it, getting back to it, or just continuing it. So, January's focus is the beds.  Last year I made it a habit to make my bed every day and I never missed a day.  I also want to add in a better routine of washing blankets and changing sheets as a habit (so a certain day each week).  Other habits I am working to continue from last year are "swish and swipe", taking out all trash on Wednesdays, doing a Monday Morning Reset, and Home Blessings Friday.  For the most part this is a "done" item.  Laundry plans were interrupted by sickness, waiting on the well to be checked and the washer being down for a few days.  

5. Deep Cleaning Goals - Recently I downloaded a cleaning checklist to use to help me better plan for cleaning/deep cleaning each room.  I like visuals and this printable is just that - a visual.  Part of the plan if to list the top 5 cleaning goals of the month.  I'm not sure I really have five.  What I do have is what follows: A) Using the new pintable's, do the daily cleaning (For example, on Monday - clean the kitchen, Tuesday- the bathroom, etc.) B) Do my "pick a room" for decluttering/deep cleaning - January's room is the master bedroom.  The goal is to get into every nook and cranny and deep clean it all.  I think that means I only have 2 top cleaning goals HA! Nope and nope.  HA!  I've already stated all the reasons for other things and they are the same for why I didn't even start on this yet. 

6. 30 day decluttering challenge - this is part of the aforementioned pintable's.  I'd like to tackle the list this month to help eliminate some of those "hot spots" that are always catching clutter.  So I liked this idea when I wrote it but it didn't have a good flow for me so I didn't end up completing it.  I have a different idea for February. 

7. Josh' room - Get everything hung up on his walls.  This will help clean out some baskets in his room too. Sickness.  Enough said. 

8.  Host Nate's 16th birthday party. You would this this is a sure thing, right?? Nope.  Due to the horribly cold temps (like a feels like of -28) forecasted for the morning of his party, we postponed it to March. 

9. Complete projects in Nate's room. Sickness

10. Purchase a flash drive and move Solid Rock Documents to the drive. Honesty -- I forgot about even doing this. 

11. Clean out the Joyful bins in the basement and use things I have on hand for the coming semester. Done

12.  Plan my lesson plans for both of my classes. Done

13. Put together my music binder with songs to play and sing throughout this year. Done

14. Memorize my verses toward my 101-1001 goal.  The camp the boys attend with out church is posted verses every two weeks so I plan to use their program to get my verses in! I printed them but didn't study them. 

15. Chose an adventure to do with Darryl as part of our 25th year celebration - to complete in either January or February. I have something planned for February that ties in with his birthday.

16. Read!  My goal is 130 books this year.  Maybe last year was a fluke and I won't read that many but since I read 128 last year I figured I would try again.  Reading on Libby helps alot - I don't have to purchase books, I just borrow them, read them, and return them.  I find I read more because of this since I'm not spending money. Done - I got a lot of reading done in January since I wasn't feeling up to doing much else. 

17. Read non-fiction books toward my 101-1001 plan. Done!  I actually got a non-fiction book read this month! 

18. Find ways to unplug once a week.  So, basically I want to find a way to stay off of electronics even just for an afternoon - but that is not completely accurate.  I still need to be able to help with school work which is often on a computer, my books are on a kindle, etc. But I think it is more, just stop the aimless scrolling.  Instead, maybe go for a walk, clean something, scrapbook, play a game with the family, or read a regular book (I have a bookshelf full!).  I feel like it will help reset my brain, help with anxiety, and help me be more present with my guys.  This is hard to measure but I feel like I accomplished this on some level.  I worked on setting my phone down throughout the day and going to do something - even as simple as emptying the dishwasher.  Again, I also read a lot which was good. 

19. My white paint project - First up, find my painting supplies and the white paint; purchase anything I need this month to tackle this project either by the end of the month or in February.  While in my head I want to do this, my motivation does not HA!  

20.  Figure out how to shorten the blinds.  This has been on my list since we bought them HA!  I'll start with the master bedroom - take them down, shorten them (it looks kind of easy) so they fit the window and then wash them.  It was took cold to take down blinds.  For real. 

21.  Write my resume. Not done. 

22. Undecorate Christmas - this will include going through my things (some still in bins) and cleaning out what we don't use/don't love.  . Done

23. Write out my scripture verses each day.  I found a great Facebook group where you journal scripture.  I have found that it helps with my mindfulness if I take time to focus on scripture more. I had great intentions but just never acted on those intentions. 

24.  Focus on Daily Devotions/Bible Reading - I am in an accountability group and we do group devotions 2-3 days a week; I'd also like to work on my own daily Bible Study as well.  I picked up a new daily devotional and am looking forward to getting into that now. 

25. Plan February Events before February 1st - Superbowl Snacks (HA!), Valentine's Day, Darryl's Birthday, and anything they guys need for Camp, 25th Anniversary activities, Date day with Darryl Done

26. Plan at least one date day with Darryl in January and plan a family fun activity to do this quarter (probably March due to winter camps) Done

27. Pick out dates for camping this summer/fall and get things reserved for at least one of them. I have tentative dates in mind but they won't be confirmed until I can actual reserve them as things fill up. 

28. Do final research/planning on my Mediterranean Diet experiment - I'd like to maybe do week 1 the last week of January. While I haven't done "final" research I did order a cookbook (it was free!) and have been looking through that to try and plan some meals. 

29. Write a true "Honey Do" list for Darryl with the extra things on it that I like him to do better than doing it myself :-) LOL  Done

30. Complete taxes and file them by the end of January if possible. This is in progress.  I'm waiting for some final documents so it may not happen but the 31st. 

31. Put together my "wish list" for the bathroom decor update since my room to deep clean in February is the Bathroom. Done

So, despite a kind of tough month, I do like the amount of "blue" (done) that I see throughout the list.  This has allowed me to see that I have gotten more done then I originally thought which is great!  It also shows me that I need to work on conquering a few more things in February.  

January Goals

 

As can be expected, January goals are most exciting to write because it is a fresh new year and it is easy to plan!  January is also a month of reflection, slowing down, and trying to put new habits into place.  Years ago, one of my favorite things was putting together my new Franklin planner.  Writing in all of the activities, birthdays and more.  I still love my calendar (paper version!) but have moved on from my Franklin.  It still brings me joy, though, to write in a fresh calendar and watch as the year unfolds.  One of my mindful goals is to enjoy my teenagers to the fullest.  Spending time with them, helping them make their future plans, doing fun activities together - all of it intentional and mindful.  Even our school days - I do not take for granted that God has made it possible for me to be home with them through all of these years.  To teach them, laugh with them, enjoy them.  I want to make sure that I continue to enjoy the moments while they are in high school to continue to build a lasting relationship with each of my guys. 

So, now, here are my goals for January. 

1. Stage 2 of the basement - A) Count all of the bins and then write down what my goal # is by the end of Stage 2. I have a total of about 60 bins/boxes so I'd like to cut it down to 45  B) Spend 20-30 minutes 2-3 days a week sorting, emptying, organizing, and deep cleaning.  

2. Scrapbooking - A) Scrapbook 31 pages (at least) in January (one a day). I even have a cute little chart to fill out for each month of the year. B) Reserve January 9-11 as my "scrapbooking weekend" with the goal to scrapbook as many hours as I can.  C) Actual accomplish goals are -- Finish 3 months in 2011, Finish 3 months in 2025 and finish one month of memorabilia 

3. Get my oven looked at (and hopefully it can be repaired!) 

4. Monthly Habits - I find a photo recently that I'll post below:  

Yes, boring habits but good habits to build on.  Each month the focus is on one of them - starting it, getting back to it, or just continuing it. So, January's focus is the beds.  Last year I made it a habit to make my bed every day and I never missed a day.  I also want to add in a better routine of washing blankets and changing sheets as a habit (so a certain day each week).  Other habits I am working to continue from last year are "swish and swipe", taking out all trash on Wednesdays, doing a Monday Morning Reset, and Home Blessings Friday.  

5. Deep Cleaning Goals - Recently I downloaded a cleaning checklist to use to help me better plan for cleaning/deep cleaning each room.  I like visuals and this printable is just that - a visual.  Part of the plan if to list the top 5 cleaning goals of the month.  I'm not sure I really have five.  What I do have is what follows: A) Using the new pintable's, do the daily cleaning (For example, on Monday - clean the kitchen, Tuesday- the bathroom, etc.) B) Do my "pick a room" for decluttering/deep cleaning - January's room is the master bedroom.  The goal is to get into every knook and cranny and deep clean it all.  I think that means I only have 2 top cleaning goals HA! 

6. 30 day decluttering challenge - this is part of the aforementioned pintable's.  I'd like to tackle the list this month to help eliminate some of those "hot spots" that are always catching clutter.  

7. Josh' room - Get everything hung up on his walls.  This will help clean out some baskets in his room too. 

8.  Host Nate's 16th birthday party. 

9. Complete projects in Nate's room. 

10. Purchase a flash drive and move Solid Rock Documents to the drive. 

11. Clean out the Joyfil bins in the basement and use things I have on hand for the coming semester. Done

12.  Plan my lesson plans for both of my classes. Done

13. Put together my music binder with songs to play and sing throughout this year. Done

14. Memorize my verses toward my 101-1001 goal.  The camp the boys attend with out church is posted verses every two weeks so I plan to use their program to get my verses in! 

15. Chose an adventure to do with Darryl as part of our 25th year celebration - to complete in either January or February. 

16. Read!  My goal is 130 books this year.  Maybe last year was a fluke and I won't read that many but since I read 128 last year I figured I would try again.  Reading on Libby helps alot - I don't have to purchase books, I just borrow them, read them, and return them.  I find I read more because of this since I'm not spending money. 

17. Read non-fiction books toward my 101-1001 plan. 

18. Find ways to unplug once a week.  So, basically I want to find a way to stay off of electronics even just for an afternoon - but that is not completely accurate.  I still need to be able to help with school work which is often on a computer, my books are on a kindle, etc. But I think it is more, just stop the aimless scrolling.  Instead, maybe go for a walk, clean something, scrapbook, play a game with the family, or read a regular book (I have a bookshelf full!).  I feel like it will help reset my brain, help with anxiety, and help me be more present with my guys.  

19. My white paint project - First up, find my painting supplies and the white paint; purchase anything I need this month to tackle this project either by the end of the month or in February.  

20.  Figure out how to shorten the blinds.  This has been on my list since we bought them HA!  I'll start with the master bedroom - take them down, shorten them (it looks kind of easy) so they fit the window and then wash them.  

21.  Write my resume. 

22. Undecorate Christmas - this will include going through my things (some still in bins) and cleaning out what we don't use/don't love.  . Done

23. Write out my scripture verses each day.  I found a great Facebook group where you journal scripture.  I have found that it helps with my mindfulness if I take time to focus on scripture more. 

24.  Focus on Daily Devotions/Bible Reading - I am in an accountability group and we do group devotions 2-3 days a week; I'd also like to work on my own daily Bible Study as well.  

25. Plan February Events before February 1st - Superbowl Snacks (HA!), Valentine's Day, Darryl's Birthday, and anything they guys need for Camp, 25th Anniversary activities, Date day with Darryl 

26. Plan at least one date day with Darryl in January and plan a family fun activity to do this quarter (probably March due to winter camps) Done

27. Pick out dates for camping this summer/fall and get things reserved for at least one of them. 

28. Do final research/planning on my Mediterranean Diet experiment - I'd like to maybe do week 1 the last week of January. 

29. Write a true "Honey Do" list for Darryl with the extra things on it that I like him to do better than doing it myself :-) LOL  

30. Complete taxes and file them by the end of January if possible.

31. Put together my "wish list" for the bathroom decor update since my room to deep clean in February is the Bathroom. Done

So much for trying to keep my monthly lists to 26 or less.  January has a lot.  Many of the ideas are "planning" which is what January is all about so that's ok!  

** Even though this didn't post until today, I actually wrote this list back on January 1st. **

** Since it's already half way through the month I decided to note the things that are already completed**

2026 Goals - a few more than 26-2026

 

Over the past few years, as I’ve written goals, I’ve written them more broadly but I have found that it is hard to see progress with those goals because they are not specific.  So, this year, I’m writing more specific and, for the most part, measurable goals.  That means I will have more than “26 for 2026” when it comes to goals.  I am incorporating line items from my 101-1001 day goal list as well as just general goals.

So, here's my plan - I'll include some explanations as needed.  There will also be some personal goals that aren't included.  

1. Stage 2 of Decluttering the Basement - in 2025 I finally tackled the crazy cluttered basement by doing a "quick sort".  I tossed, organized and donated things that were quick, easy decisions by spending 15-30 minutes in the basement 2-3 days a week.  I made sure that things had a home and that the basement was useable.  In 2026 I will tackle what I am calling stage 2 - First I plan to count the number of bins I currently have (all sizes) and then work to downsize by at least 1/4 of that number.  I also have to go through the "bins of hard decisions" HA!  The things that tug at your heart strings or are "special".  Ultimately everything needs a home or it can't stay. Stage 2.5 is the cleaning of the basement - it is an old basement so it will always be dusty and such but I do plan to get rid of cobwebs and dust bunnies.  

2. My list of scrapbook goals is always long.  Here are my top goals: A) Put all memorabilia in albums that are completed.  B) Completed 2011 (the oldest book not done). C) Complete 2025 (Because Nate has specifically asked me to get it done so he can look at it) D) Complete 2017 E) Stay current on 2026.  F) Complete 2018.  Then I also have goals on HOW to complete this:  A) Scrapbook a page-a-day every month  B) Reserve one weekend a month to be my own "scrapbooking crop".  (That doesn't mean every second - but just being able to sit down and enjoy my hobby) 

3. Learn to make Macaroons - I bought a kit back in 2020 and have yet to make them - this is my year! 

4. Get my oven fixed.  :-) 

5. Eat a Mediterranean Diet - my 101-1001 goals is a month but my first goals is a week HA!  I did actually research this in 2025 and came up with a weeks plan, now I need to actually do it.  There is no reason behind this other than I saw the idea on a friends list and added it to mine.  I should add that Josh has told me he wants to plan a week of meals for the family and do the shopping - I should have him do that as well. 

6. Move my FIL's piano to Josh's room 

7. Complete all the projects in Josh's room 

8. Complete a few projects in Nate's room. 

9. Figure out a make-up routine that is better for my skin and for me!  

10. Host Nate's 16th birthday party. 

11. Since I can't seem to get Google workspace to work for me, I need to updated and upload Solid Rock documents onto a flash drive so they are saved somewhere other than my computer. 

12. Write out the job description for my job as secretary. 

13.  Clean the outside of the windows

14. Clean and either use or sell the pop-up

15. Watch a Lake Michigan Sunset

16. Visit the church I grew up in on a Sunday Morning.  This is just on my list of 101-1001 items.  

17. Teach Piano Lessons

18. Paint trim and doors white in the house (a freshening up of all things white) 

19. Do touch up of paint in all the rooms as needed. 

20.  Deep clean and update the bathroom - wipe down walls, paint the ceiling (Josh has said he will help!), replace lights and mirror and get new decor

21. Put together a music binder with piano songs I want to master in 2026

22. Memorize my verses for 101-1001

23. Camp 1-2 times this year. 

24. Purchase and hang curtains in my living room

25. Visit Metro Beach for our 25th year

26. Plan our 25th year getaway

27. Recreate several of our dates for our 25th year.

28. Repair our front deck ( a deer ran into it and broke a railing and posts)

29. Power wash the house

30. Take down our swing set (Makes me sad) 

31.  Improve the backyard - look at each section and clean it out, do anything to update it if needed and just make it enjoyable

32. Plan a small container garden or a small garden.  I'd like to try to grow our own pumpkins

33. Repair the garage door opener. 

34.  There are some big ticket items that are on the radar - obviously these depend on finances but those include replacing boards on the garage, replacing the side door and replacing our slider. 

35. Attend a Tigers game as a family

36. Plan a family vacation

37. Visit a college with Josh and help him with that process. 

38. Make a cheesecake

39. Visit Canada with the family

40. Decorate the laundry room

41. Get family photos done in the spring and plan for Josh's senior photos as well

42. Visit Henry Ford Museum

43. Visit Belle Isle

44. Power wash/varnish my swing

45. Read 130 books in 2026

46. Read non-fiction books toward my 101-1001 goal

47. Turn off the cable box and find ways to watch TV while saving money

48. Find ways to unplug once a week. 

So, now, I take these goals and write my monthly goals.  Then, once I write the current months goals, I print them and write weekly/daily goals that help me reach towards accomplishing as much as I can each month.  Sometimes I write the weekly/daily goals all at once for the week and print them. Other weeks, I write them daily on my phone and check them off that way.  Both ways work, it just depends on what I feel like doing each week.  

Song of the week (And my song of the year!) Seph Schlueter - Won't Start Now (Lyric Video)

It often seems that each year I have a song that is "my song" for the year.  I heard this on the radio just before the end of the year and I just loved the overall concept of  - Jesus is always by my side no matter what comes along. In all of the good (those sunsets that always rise) and in any difficult things that might come along, Jesus promises to always be there and He never breaks a promise.  So enjoy!  

2026 Word of the Year

My word of the year for 2026 is . . . . . Mindfulness.   

Why do I pick a word of the year?  The simple answer is just because I want to!  The more in-depth answer is because it helps me focus on something to try and improve my daily walk.  I have been doing "theme words" or choosing a word for my year for more than ten years.  You can find a recap of some of those by clicking here - which will take you through some older blog posts from years past.  (I'm not sure why they don't all show up other than I either forgot to tag them or tagged them differently) 

Why "Mindfulness"?  Last year I picked the word "Worship" because I wanted to focus more on the heart.  Finding ways to worship and draw closer to God.  I did not accomplish nearly what I had hoped to but I did work towards finding ways to worship and to focus my mind on worshiping.  I increased my daily devotional time and started a small prayer journal.  These are things I want to build on this year while expanding it into more areas of my life and to me, the idea of "mindfulness" tied into that concept. 

I have some goals on my 101 in 1001 goal list that tie into this which include scripture memory and reading non-fiction books.  I am setting some stronger goals relating to Bible Study and prayer.  Then there is the idea of "mindfulness" with our home as I continue to work on better organizing, decluttering things we truly don't use or enjoy.  Along with that is reducing what we have stored away in the basement.  I did a big cleanout/organization last year, which I just finished up recently, but it was surface level.  This year I plan to dig deeper and clean out more. Part of this whole concept is looking at my time, my spiritual walk, each room in our home and taking time to mindfully consider what is truly important and valuable.  Filling my mind, heart, and home with those things that are uplifting and bring joy.  

There is an underlying goal in all that I am currently working on and that is to be to a place of "comfort and ease" as we get closer to our teens graduating which will mean a shift; especially for me.  That shift mostly will include at the very least a part time job but most likely something full time.  I would like to be to the point when I reach that milestone that my heart and home are comfortable and at ease.  The spaces will be relaxing and organized; my heart will be full of joy and Jesus.  I am working now, before we reach that point, to be ready WHEN we reach that point.  

So, as I enjoy the last few weeks of this year and focus on enjoy family, friends, and being mindful of the true reason for Christmas -- I am also looking forward to 2026 and am excited to see what God does.